In message <199512080749.BAA19961@praline.no.NeoSoft.com>, johnd writes:

Can someone tell me the Nihongo for patience, please, and, you're welcome?
Btw, has nothing to do with Will, just need the terms for my own use.  Arigato

johnd

<DaR grins and puts on the Nihongo-no-sensei cap>


Please
------
Please depends very much on the situation and the type of sentence it's
used in.  The most common you'll most likely see is 'onegai-shimasu'
which is literaly "I make a request of you."   This is commonly used
when asking someone to do you a favor or asking for something:

  Kore   o      onegai-shimasu.
  This (object)   I request.
  Please do this.

It can alse be used when ordering in a restaraunt:

  Beeru onegai-shimasu.
  Beer    I request.
  A beer please.

Depending on how familiar the speaker is with his audience, the -shimasu
may be dropped, but this is quite informal and would only be with close
friends and social equals. 


The next most likely is 'kudasai' which is often used with other verbs
to make a polite request:

  Kore   o      yonde  kudasai.
  This (object)  read   please.
  Please read this.

Kudasai can also be used when ordering in restaraunts.


'Dozo' can also be used as please but when one is offering rather than
requesting:

  Otcha o dozo.
  Tea (obj) please.
  Please have some tea.


Thank you.
----------
There is of course 'arigato'.   When speaking to someone social superior
(a teacher, parent, upperclassman, etc) it becomes 'arigato gozaimasu'.
If the action that you are thanking for is already completed, then that
in turn becomes 'arigato gozaimashita'.  

Domo can also be used as thank you, but be careful, domo has some very
subtle differences from just "thank you" in English.  In most cases it's
just a form of 'domo arigato (gozaimasu)' that's been truncated.  But it
can also be used in ritual hello greetings or even as "please" in
certain situations.

In cases where you are accepting a compliment, the most polite thing to
do is refuse it and then say thank you.

  Yoku   dekimasu    ne?
  Good  proficiency (agreement question)
  You're very good aren't you?

  Iya.  Arigato gozaimasu.
  No.   Thank you.
  No, not at all, but thank you.



Your Welcome
------------
'Do Itashimasita' is by far the most common way to say "You're Welcome"
outright.   However 'kochira koso' in the right context can be used as
well:

  Arigato gozaimashita.
  Thank you.

  Iya, kochira koso.
  No,   this   side.
  No, It's me who should thank you.


Excuse Me
---------
The three you'll hear mostly are 'Sumimasen', 'shitsure-shimasu' and
'gomen-kudasai'.  They have slightly different meanings, so pay attention
when using them.  

'Sumimasen' is about "Pardon me" in English and is often used when about
to make a request.  It's also a good minor apology.

Shitsure-shimasu is most like the English version of "Please excuse me",
it's mostly an attention getter like when entering or leaving a room.
The feeling here is an apology for (the implied) rudness of entering or
leaving someone's company.

'Gomen kudasai' on the other hand is a down right, full-out apology
for one's actions.  "Please forgive me." is about right in English.
'Gomen' is would be used if you bumped into someone hard or acidentally
broke something, where as 'Sumimasen' would be more like if you brush
up against someone in the subway.

(Aside:  Sumimasen can also be used as "Thank you" in the context of
"I'm sorry to have caused you any trouble in doing this for me."  and
matches the situations where one is thanking for a request made with
'onegai-shimasu'.   "Sumimasen, domo arigato' is heard quite often.)

(As another aside:  The actual phrases used to get a person's attention
are most likely:  'sumimasen kedo...' and 'chotto ii desu ka?'  which
are 'I'm sorry to bother you but...' and 'Can I ask you something?')


Please Wait
-----------
This again depends on the situation.  A common thing to say is 'chotto
matte'  which is about equivilent to "wait a second".  The 'matte' can
be dropped in most really informal situations, and dropping the 'chotto'
makes in more of a command.

When leaving someone for a moment (like on the phone, or having to leave
the room to get something)  the proper phrase is usually 'Sho-sho
omachi-kudasai' or "please hold on for a little."   When you return the
ritual apology is 'omatase itashimashita' which is "I left you waiting".


	-DaR  (Who is avoiding doing his Japanese culture paper
               quite efficiently)
--
Dan Root - dar@andrew.cmu.edu